Acclaimed Video Games

The top 1,400 most recommended games across 920 critic lists from 146 publications.

Updated: October 16, 2026

Most Acclaimed Strategy Games of All Time

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100 of 104

StarCraft

#1 StarCraft (1998) (#43)

Blizzard Entertainment | MAC, WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~25h | 58 lists

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings

#2 Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (1999) (#106)

Ensemble Studios | WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~41h | 32 lists

Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos

#3 Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos (2002) (#110)

Blizzard Entertainment | MAC, WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~22h | 30 lists

Sid Meier's Civilization IV

#4 Sid Meier's Civilization IV (2005) (#119)

Firaxis Games | MAC, WIN | Turn-Based Strategy / 4X Strategy | ~14h | 29 lists

X-COM: UFO Defense / UFO: Enemy Unknown

#5 X-COM: UFO Defense / UFO: Enemy Unknown (1994) (#125)

Mythos Games | DOS, AMI | Strategy / Turn-Based Tactics | ~39h | 35 lists

Sid Meier's Civilization

#6 Sid Meier's Civilization (1991) (#133)

MPS Labs | DOS, WIN | Turn-Based Strategy | ~13h | 28 lists

Lemmings

#7 Lemmings (1991) (#137)

DMA Design | DOS, MAC, 5, SMS, GEN, TG16, SNES | Strategy / Puzzle | ~20h | 34 lists

Sid Meier's Civilization II

#8 Sid Meier's Civilization II (1996) (#141)

MicroProse Software, Inc. | MAC, WIN | Turn-Based Strategy | ~22h | 28 lists

Advance Wars

#9 Advance Wars (2001) (#147)

Intelligent Systems | GBA | Turn-Based Strategy | ~16h | 32 lists

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

#10 XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012) (#149)

Firaxis Games | 3, X360, PS3, iOS, AND | Turn-Based Tactics | ~27h | 47 lists

Command & Conquer: Red Alert

#11 Command & Conquer: Red Alert (1996) (#166)

Westwood Studios | WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~27h | 25 lists

Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness

#12 Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness (1995) (#176)

Blizzard Entertainment | DOS, MAC | Real-Time Strategy | ~21h | 28 lists

Rome: Total War

#13 Rome: Total War (2004) (#198)

The Creative Assembly | WIN | Real-Time Tactics / Turn-Based Strategy | ~34h | 21 lists

Command & Conquer

#14 Command & Conquer (1995) (#219)

Looking Glass Studios, Westwood Studios | 3 | Real-Time Strategy | ~17h | 23 lists

StarCraft II

#15 StarCraft II (2010) (#223)

Blizzard Entertainment | MAC, WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~18h | 32 lists

Company of Heroes

#16 Company of Heroes (2006) (#234)

Relic Entertainment | WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~19h | 20 lists

Sid Meier's Pirates!

#17 Sid Meier's Pirates! (1987) (#237)

MicroProse Software, Inc. | 6, DOS, MAC, NES | Strategy / Action-Adventure | ~8h | 19 lists

Sid Meier's Civilization V

#18 Sid Meier's Civilization V (2010) (#238)

Firaxis Games | MAC, WIN | Turn-Based Strategy / 4X Strategy | ~40h | 28 lists

Into the Breach

#19 Into the Breach (2018) (#241)

Subset Games | MAC, WIN, SW | Turn-Based Strategy | ~6h | 36 lists

FTL: Faster Than Light

#20 FTL: Faster Than Light (2012) (#259)

Subset Games | 3 | Strategy / Roguelike | ~12h | 27 lists

Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia

#21 Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia (1999) (#291)

Loki Software, New World Computing | 3 | Turn-Based Strategy | ~57h | 15 lists

Homeworld

#22 Homeworld (1999) (#310)

Relic Entertainment | WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~16h | 15 lists

Syndicate

#23 Syndicate (1993) (#321)

Bullfrog Productions | DOS, 4, GEN, SNES, 3DO, JAG | Real-Time Tactics | ~12h | 15 lists

Age of Empires

#24 Age of Empires (1997) (#332)

Ensemble Studios | WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~22h | 14 lists

Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty / Dune II: Battle for Arrakis

#25 Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty / Dune II: Battle for Arrakis (1992) (#364)

Westwood Studios | DOS, AMI, GEN | Real-Time Strategy | ~15h | 13 lists

Total Annihilation

#26 Total Annihilation (1997) (#384)

Cavedog Entertainment | MAC, WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~22h | 10 lists

XCOM 2

#27 XCOM 2 (2016) (#391)

Firaxis Games | 3, XB1, PS4 | Turn-Based Tactics | ~33h | 19 lists

Worms

#28 Worms (1995) (#425)

Team17 | DOS, MAC, AMI, CD32, GEN, SAT, SNES, PS | Strategy | ~4h | 12 lists

Worms Armageddon

#29 Worms Armageddon (1999) (#430)

Infogrames, Team17 | WIN | Turn-Based Strategy | ~8h | 10 lists

M.U.L.E.

#30 M.U.L.E. (1983) (#439)

Ozark Softscape | 3, DOS | Strategy | ~2h | 12 lists

The Oregon Trail

#31 The Oregon Trail (1971) (#449)

MECC | HP21 | Strategy | ~6h | 8 lists

Herzog Zwei

#32 Herzog Zwei (1989) (#456)

Technosoft | GEN | Real-Time Strategy | ~6h | 9 lists

Archon: The Light and the Dark

#33 Archon: The Light and the Dark (1983) (#477)

Free Fall Associates | 7, DOS | Action / Strategy | ~24m | 13 lists

Lost Odyssey

#34 Lost Odyssey (2007) (#496)

Feelplus, Mistwalker | X360 | Role-Playing / Turn-Based Tactics | ~50h | 9 lists

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

#35 Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (1994) (#539)

Blizzard Entertainment | DOS, MAC | Real-Time Strategy | ~14h | 9 lists

Crusader Kings III

#36 Crusader Kings III (2020) (#543)

Paradox Development Studio | 3 | Role-Playing / Grand Strategy | ~73h | 9 lists

Plants vs. Zombies

#37 Plants vs. Zombies (2009) (#553)

PopCap Games | MAC, WIN, X360, iOS, AND | Strategy | ~8h | 9 lists

Dungeon Keeper

#38 Dungeon Keeper (1997) (#560)

Bullfrog Productions | DOS, WIN | Management Simulation / Real-Time Strategy / God Game | ~17h | 8 lists

Jagged Alliance 2

#39 Jagged Alliance 2 (1999) (#562)

Sir-Tech Canada | WIN | Tactical RPG / Turn-Based Tactics | ~10h | 6 lists

Pikmin 2

#40 Pikmin 2 (2004) (#583)

Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development | GC | Real-Time Strategy | ~11h | 9 lists

Medieval II: Total War

#41 Medieval II: Total War (2006) (#620)

The Creative Assembly | WIN | Real-Time Tactics / Turn-Based Strategy | ~30h | 7 lists

Crusader Kings II

#42 Crusader Kings II (2012) (#628)

Paradox Development Studio | 3 | Grand Strategy | ~67h | 5 lists

DEFCON

#43 DEFCON (2006) (#637)

Introversion Software | MAC, WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~1h | 5 lists

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

#44 Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (1999) (#664)

Firaxis Games | 3 | Turn-Based Strategy / 4X Strategy | ~26h | 6 lists

Factorio

#45 Factorio (2020) (#681)

Wube Software | 3, SW | Real-Time Strategy / Construction & Management | ~53h | 2 lists

Pikmin 4

#46 Pikmin 4 (2023) (#698)

Eighting, Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10 | SW | Real-Time Strategy / Puzzle | ~18h | 15 lists

Sid Meier's Civilization III

#47 Sid Meier's Civilization III (2001) (#705)

Firaxis Games, Westlake Interactive | MAC, WIN | Turn-Based Strategy | ~22h | 6 lists

Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines

#48 Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines (1998) (#717)

Pyro Studios | WIN | Real-Time Tactics | ~24h | 6 lists

Defender of the Crown

#49 Defender of the Crown (1986) (#752)

Master Designer Software, Inc. | 4 | Strategy | ~1h | 7 lists

Transistor

#50 Transistor (2014) (#756)

Supergiant Games | 3, PS4 | Action RPG / Turn-Based Strategy | ~6h | 9 lists

Total War: Warhammer III

#51 Total War: Warhammer III (2022) (#769)

The Creative Assembly | 3 | Real-Time Tactics / Turn-Based Strategy | ~32h | 7 lists

Sid Meier's Civilization VI

#52 Sid Meier's Civilization VI (2016) (#784)

Firaxis Games | 3, iOS, SW | Turn-Based Strategy / 4X Strategy | ~23h | 13 lists

Advance Wars: Dual Strike

#53 Advance Wars: Dual Strike (2005) (#788)

Intelligent Systems | DS | Turn-Based Strategy | ~24h | 4 lists

Bomberman / Atomic Punk / Dynablaster

#54 Bomberman / Atomic Punk / Dynablaster (1991) (#789)

Irem | ARC | Strategy / Maze / Puzzle | ~2h | 5 lists

Battlezone

#55 Battlezone (1998) (#793)

Activision | WIN | Real-Time Strategy / First-Person Shooter | ~13h | 4 lists

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

#56 Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 (2000) (#809)

Westwood Pacific | WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~15h | 7 lists

Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Succession Wars

#57 Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Succession Wars (1996) (#826)

New World Computing | 3 | Turn-Based Strategy | ~46h | 4 lists

Dragon Force

#58 Dragon Force (1996) (#839)

Sega CS1 | SAT | Role-Playing / Real-Time Strategy | ~31h | 4 lists

Sins of a Solar Empire

#59 Sins of a Solar Empire (2008) (#846)

Ironclad Games | WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~8h | 4 lists

Myth: The Fallen Lords

#60 Myth: The Fallen Lords (1997) (#854)

Bungie | MAC, WIN | Real-Time Tactics | ~15h | 4 lists

The Oregon Trail

#61 The Oregon Trail (1985) (#856)

MECC | A2, 3 | Strategy | ~1h | 4 lists

Invisible, Inc.

#62 Invisible, Inc. (2015) (#862)

Klei Entertainment | 3 | Turn-Based Tactics / Stealth | ~7h | 8 lists

Anno 1800

#63 Anno 1800 (2019) (#866)

Ubisoft Blue Byte | WIN | Real-Time Strategy / City Building | ~16h | 2 lists

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War

#64 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (2004) (#879)

Relic Entertainment | WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~12h | 5 lists

Empire: Total War

#65 Empire: Total War (2009) (#927)

The Creative Assembly | WIN | Real-Time Tactics / Turn-Based Strategy / Grand Strategy | ~60h | 3 lists

Master of Orion

#66 Master of Orion (1993) (#933)

Simtex, Take-Two Interactive | DOS, MAC | Turn-Based Strategy / 4X Strategy | ~14h | 4 lists

Supreme Commander

#67 Supreme Commander (2007) (#947)

Gas Powered Games, Hellbent Games | WIN, X360 | Real-Time Strategy | ~19h | 5 lists

Live A Live

#68 Live A Live (2022) (#970)

Historia Inc, Square Enix Creative Business Unit II | WIN, PS4, PS5, SW | Role-Playing / Turn-Based Tactics | ~20h | 7 lists

X-COM: Terror from the Deep

#69 X-COM: Terror from the Deep (1995) (#971)

MicroProse Software, Inc. | DOS, WIN, PS | Real-Time Strategy / Turn-Based Tactics | ~34h | 4 lists

Dorfromantik

#70 Dorfromantik (2022) (#987)

Toukana Interactive | WIN, SW | Strategy / Puzzle | ~5h | 5 lists

Commandos 2: Men of Courage

#71 Commandos 2: Men of Courage (2001) (#992)

Pyro Studios, Zonic Limited | WIN, PS2, Xbox | Real-Time Tactics | ~21h | 4 lists

Europa Universalis IV

#72 Europa Universalis IV (2013) (#1009)

Paradox Development Studio | 3 | Grand Strategy | ~97h | 3 lists

World in Conflict

#73 World in Conflict (2007) (#1035)

Massive Entertainment | WIN | Real-Time Strategy / Real-Time Tactics | ~12h | 5 lists

Anno 1602: Creation of a New World / 1602 A.D.

#74 Anno 1602: Creation of a New World / 1602 A.D. (1998) (#1068)

Max Design | WIN | Real-Time Strategy / City Building | ~24h | 4 lists

The Lords of Midnight

#75 The Lords of Midnight (1984) (#1131)

Amsoft, Beyond, Mindscape, Inc. | 3 | Role-Playing / Strategy | ~6h | 3 lists

Myth II: Soulblighter

#76 Myth II: Soulblighter (1998) (#1165)

Bungie | 3 | Real-Time Tactics | ~9h | 2 lists

The Ancient Art of War

#77 The Ancient Art of War (1984) (#1176)

Evryware | 6, DOS, MAC | Strategy | 3 lists

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

#78 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II (2009) (#1183)

Relic Entertainment | WIN | Real-Time Strategy / Real-Time Tactics / Tactical RPG | ~15h | 3 lists

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

#79 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (2019) (#1204)

Vanillaware | PS4 | Adventure / Real-Time Strategy | ~31h | 7 lists

Clash Royale

#80 Clash Royale (2016) (#1206)

Supercell | iOS, AND | Real-Time Strategy | ~156h | 5 lists

Giants: Citizen Kabuto

#81 Giants: Citizen Kabuto (2000) (#1217)

Planet Moon Studios | MAC, WIN, PS2 | Real-Time Strategy / Third-Person Shooter | ~10h | 2 lists

X-COM: Apocalypse

#82 X-COM: Apocalypse (1997) (#1220)

Mythos Games | DOS, WIN | Strategy / Real-Time Tactics | ~32h | 3 lists

Desperados III

#83 Desperados III (2020) (#1242)

Mimimi Games | 3, XB1, PS4 | Real-Time Tactics | ~27h | 4 lists

Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest

#84 Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest (1995) (#1255)

New World Computing | DOS, WIN | Turn-Based Strategy | ~24h | 3 lists

Tactical Breach Wizards

#85 Tactical Breach Wizards (2024) (#1259)

Suspicious Developments | WIN | Turn-Based Tactics | ~13h | 10 lists

Command & Conquer: Generals

#86 Command & Conquer: Generals (2003) (#1269)

EA Pacific | MAC, WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~14h | 4 lists

Darwinia

#87 Darwinia (2005) (#1305)

Introversion Software | 3 | Real-Time Strategy / Real-Time Tactics | ~10h | 2 lists

Dungeon Keeper 2

#88 Dungeon Keeper 2 (1999) (#1310)

Bullfrog Productions | WIN | Management Simulation / Real-Time Strategy / God Game | ~18h | 2 lists

Balance of Power

#89 Balance of Power (1985) (#1324)

Mindscape, Inc. | 6, DOS, MAC | Strategy | 4 lists

Little King's Story

#90 Little King's Story (2009) (#1327)

Cing, Marvelous Entertainment | Wii | Role-Playing / Life Simulation / Real-Time Strategy | ~24h | 2 lists

The Settlers

#91 The Settlers (1993) (#1332)

Blue Byte Software | DOS, AMI | Real-Time Strategy / City Building | ~18h | 2 lists

Pikmin

#92 Pikmin (2001) (#1345)

Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development | GC | Real-Time Strategy / Puzzle | ~8h | 3 lists

Pikmin 3

#93 Pikmin 3 (2013) (#1346)

Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.4 | WiiU | Action / Real-Time Strategy / Puzzle | ~13h | 10 lists

Anno 1404

#94 Anno 1404 (2009) (#1350)

Blue Byte, Related Designs | WIN | Simulation / Real-Time Strategy / City Building | ~18h | 2 lists

Homeworld 2

#95 Homeworld 2 (2003) (#1364)

Relic Entertainment | MAC, WIN | Real-Time Strategy | ~11h | 2 lists

Midwinter

#96 Midwinter (1989) (#1367)

Rainbird | DOS, AST, AMI | Strategy / Action RPG | ~3h | 2 lists

Total War: Three Kingdoms

#97 Total War: Three Kingdoms (2019) (#1371)

The Creative Assembly | 3 | Real-Time Tactics / Turn-Based Strategy | ~45h | 5 lists

Stellaris

#98 Stellaris (2016) (#1372)

Paradox Development Studio | 3 | 4X Strategy / Grand Strategy | ~32h | 2 lists

Dota Auto Chess / Auto Chess

#99 Dota Auto Chess / Auto Chess (2019) (#1373)

Drodo Studio | 3 | Strategy | 2 lists

The Banished Vault

#100 The Banished Vault (2023) (#1375)

Lunar Division | MAC, WIN | Turn-Based Strategy | ~6h | 3 lists